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Cold Treatment for Infants

As a parent, it can be horrible to watch your infant suffer with a cold. There is no cure for the common cold; it is possible only to treat the symptoms. The good thing is that colds generally go away within 7 to 10 days. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend giving cough or cold medicines to children 2 or younger.

  1. Humidifier

    • Use a cool mist humidifier in your infant's bedroom. A humidifier adds moisture to the air, which helps ease your baby's congestion and cough. Choose a cool mist humidifier instead of a warm mist humidifier or steam vaporizer. If your infant gets too close to a vaporizer or warm mist humidifier, it can cause burns. Use water only. Do not add any oils or medicines to the humidifier unless directed by your pediatrician.

    Saline

    • Place saline drops in your infants nose and leave the drops there for 5 to 10 minutes to help ease your infant's congestion and runny nose. Suction out the mucus with a bulb syringe or a battery operated nasal aspirator. Press the air out of the bulb syringe and then gently insert the tip so it's barely inside the infant's nostril. release the pressure on the bulb to suction out the mucus. If your infant is extremely congested, it is a good idea to use the bulb syringe before she eats.

    Fever

    • Tylenol and ibuprofen can help bring down a baby's fever. Only give Tylenol to infants 2 months or older. Ibuprofen can be given for fever to infants over 6 months old. Follow the dosing instructions carefully. If you have questions, contact your pediatrician.

    Extra Fluids

    • It can be easy for your infant to become dehydrated if he has a cold. Be sure to offer extra fluids. If he drinks from a sippy cup, offer extra fluids throughout the day. If you are breastfeeding, let your infant feed on demand. Your infant may feed better in short spurts because of the congestion. If you are bottle feeding, it is also a good idea to let your infant feed on demand.

    Rest

    • Allow your infant to sleep when she is tired. She may sleep more because she doesn't feel good. If your infant is having trouble sleeping, it may help to raise his mattress. Place a pillow under the crib mattress where your infant puts her head. This can help your infant breathe.

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